Slips, Trips, & Fall Protection

Cost of Slips, Trips, & Falls

• To the employer: • Loss of productivity & business • Increased industrial insurance premiums • Costs associated with training replacement worker

Cost of Slips, Trips, & Falls

• To the worker: • Lost wages & out-of-pocket expenses • Pain • Temporary or permanent disability • Reduced quality of life • Depression • Death

Typical Injury Sites

• Knee, ankle and/or foot • Wrist &/or elbow • Back &/or shoulder • Hip • Head

What are S T & F’s

• Slip - Too little friction or traction between feet (footware) & walking/working surface, resulting in loss of balance.

• Trip - Foot or lower leg hits object & upper body continues moving, resulting in loss of balance. Stepping down to lower surface & losing balance.

• Fall - Occurs when too far off center of balance.

STFs are Preventable

• Design of workplace & work processes • Design workplace & processes to prevent potential exposures to slip &

trip hazards

• Good housekeeping • Maintain clear, tidy work areas free of clutter

• Safe walking practices • Follow safe walking practices & routes

• Wearing proper footwear • Wear proper footwear with good traction

• Learn to fall “properly” • There are techniques that can minimize fall injuries

Housekeeping

• All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.

• The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in clean condition. • Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repairs, with

no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard condition.

Stairways

• All treads shall be reasonably slip-resistant and the nosings shall be of nonslip finish

• Vertical clearance above any stair tread to an overhead obstruction shall be at least 7 feet measured from the leading edge of the tread.

Stairways

• Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with stair railings or handrails.

30" - 34"

A stair railing shall be not more than 34 inches nor less than 30 inches from upper surface of top rail to surface of tread in line with face of riser at forward edge of tread.

Railings

Aisles

• Sufficient safe clearance maintained where mechanical handling equipment is used.

• Aisles and passageways kept clear and in good repairs. • No obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.

Portable Ladders

• All parts free from sharp edges and splinters;

• Visually acceptable

• Stepladders 20' max.

• Single ladders 30' max.

Portable Ladders

• Maintained in good conditions at all times

• Locks, wheels, pulleys frequent lubrication

• Worn rope replaced • Safety feet and auxiliary

equipment in good shape

Portable Ladders - Inspection

• Ladders inspected frequently

• Those with defects withdrawn from service for repair or destruction and tagged or marked as "Dangerous, Do Not Use."

Portable Ladders

• Ladders not placed in front of doors opening toward the ladder unless the door is blocked upon, locked, or guarded;

Portable Ladders

• Tops of the ordinary types of stepladders shall not be used as steps

Be Safe

Acknowledgement

I ______________________, have completed the Slips Trips and Fall Protection training.

(Print Name)

Date: ______________

Please print the acknowledgement sheet, fill in requested information and email to srsweb@unm.edu to complete training.